Printing machine



Nov. 13, 1934. c HARTLEY I 1,980,724

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 13, 1934. E. c. HARTLEY PRINTING M ACHINE I Filed Dec. 22, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 F9. 2.

I z/r z zor: y @MGM 1934- E. c.. HARTLEY PRINTING MACHINE Filed DeO. 22, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 v Nov. 13, 1934.

E. C. HARTLEY PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 NAN l III III IFI I 1/ I l l l l lblll l Nov; 13, 1934. E, HARTLEY -1,9s0,724

PRINTING MAGHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 13, 1934. E. c. HARTLEY PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 22, 1930 8 Sheets-rSheet 7 E. cz. HARTLEY PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec.

Nov. 13, 1934.

Now 13, 1934 c. II-IARTLEY PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 22, 1950 8 Sheets- Sheet 8 Patented Nov. 1 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PRINTING MACHINE Emmett C. Hartley, Oak Park, Ill., assigiior to Addressograph Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application December 22, 1930, Serial No. 503,914

42 Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines of the kind through which printing devices are sequentially fed and from which impressions are made, and the salient object is to provide a novel machine inexpensive in construction and simple in operation.

Further objects are to provide a printing machine that may be readily arranged to make single or multiple impressions from printing devices passed therethrough; to provide a machine in which the printing devices may be viewed prior to passage thereof into printing position; to provide manual selection of the printing de vices whereby the printing devices will either be r used or not be used in a printing operation at the will of the operator; to provide a printing machine wherein the printing devices are collected in a suitable galley after passage through printing position and to interrupt the passage of printing devices to the galley when a predetermined number have been collected therein; to provide a printing machine wherein operation is prevented until the parts are arranged in operative position; to provide a machine to which suitable detachable devices may be easily secured to facilitate operation of the machine; and to snub the operation of the printing member to prevent undue shock in the operation thereof.

In the selected embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings Fig. l is a top plan view of my improved ma chine showing one of the detachable devices associated therewith;

Figs. 1a and 1b are detail views depicting a connection employed in the printing device moving mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 20. is a detail view showing a snubbing arrangement employed in the machine;

Fig. 2b is a detail View of the printingdevice discharge members and the packer for the printingdevice;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view looking in at the right hand side of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4l on Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view taken substantially on the line 5- 5 on Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view looking in the opposite direction of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a sectional detail view of a clutch employed in the device;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a trip mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan View in which certainparts are broken away;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1010 on Fig. 9;

10a. is a detail view of the platen arm operating arrangements;

Fig. 11 is a view taken substantially on th line 11-41 on Fig. 9;

Figs. .12 and 13 are views similar to Fig. 11' showing the parts in different positions; and

Fig. 14 is a detail view of a portion of the operating mechanism. g

In the selected embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings 15 indicates the frame of the machine supported on suitable legs 16 and having at the upper end thereof a table top 17 on which the printing operations are performed. Carried by the frame 15 in a suitable saddle 18 is an electric motor 19 (Figs. 3 and 4.) and preferably sound deadening pads 20 are provided between the saddle and the motor for the purpose well understood in the art. On the shaft 21 of the motor is a pulley 22 having an endless belt 23 directed thereabout, which is also passed around the pulley 24 on the stub shaft 25 journaled in a bearing 26 on the frame. On the shaft 25 is a pinion 27 meshing with a spur gear 28 rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft 29 of the machine. Also mounted on the shaft 29 is a spur gear 30 having an enlarged hub portion 31. A dog 32 (Figs. 3 and 7) is medially mounted on the eniarged hub portion and includes a nose 33 urged toward a collar 34 secured to the gear 28 by alternately disposed screws 35 and pins 36. Notches 3'7 are provided in the collar, 34 and the nose 33 is urged toward the notches by the spring 38 extended between spring anchors on the gear 3-3 and the dog 32. Pivotally mounted at 39 is a lever 40 (Fig. 7) normally urged into an upper position by a spring 41 extending between the lever and a spring anchor on the frame. Fixed. to the lever is a rod 42 connected to a foot pedal 43 (Fig. 2). When the foot pedal is depressed the lever 40 and the member 44 carried thereby' are disposed in the position illustrated in Fig. '7"

and thereby the arm 45' pivoted on the frame at 4.6 is disposed to hold the arm 47 thereof out of engagement with the tail of the dog 32. When, however, the spring 41 moves the parts into an upper position the arm 4'7 will be engaged by the tail of the dog to disengage the nose 33 from the notch 3'7 in which it has been seated, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Since the collar 34 is joined to the constantly driven gear 28 and as the dog 32 is carried by the gear 30 it is manifest thats'eating of the nose 33 in a notch- 37 will interconnect the gear 30 to the gear 28 to thereby rotate said gear 30 which is fast on the shaft 29.

On the shaft 29 at the end thereof opposite the gear 30 is a crank 48 (Figs; 4, 9, and 10). Pivotally connected to the crank 48 is a link 49 which is-also pivotally connected at 51 to' a" cam member fixed on the enlarged diameter of the shaft 52. In the cam member is a cam slot 53 in which a roller 54 is disposed that is mounted at the outer end of an arm on the rocker 55 pivotal on the platen arm shaft 56. The platen arm 57 (Figs. 1 and 10) is pivotal on the shaft 56 and carries at the outer end thereof the usual platen P. On the rocker is a plate 58 (Figs. 10 and 10a) and pivotally mounted on the platen arm is a latch 60 having a shoulder 61 thereon. On the rail 62, which is a part of the frame 15, is a stop 63 against which the tail portion 64 on the latch 60 is normallyrested, itbeing held thereagainst by a spring 65 extended be-, tween spring anchors on the tail 64 and the rail 62. On the platen arm an abutment screw 66 is adjustably mounted which rests against an abutment 67 on the rocker 55, and this serves to hold the platen 'arm in an elevated position. When the shaft 29 is rotated a reciprocatory movement is imparted to thelink 49 and the cam member 50 which consequently moves the rocker 55 to tend to withdraw the abutment 67 from.

engagement with the screw 66 and consequently the platen arm 57 will fall by its own weight toward printing position in the machine. As the rocker 55'moves, the latch 60 will move upwardly and will pivot to move the shoulder 61 thereon toward the plate 58 and at a time immediately prior to movement of the platen into printing position the shoulder 61 will engage the plate 58 and a printing impetus will be imparted to the platen by reason of the driving of the rocker 55 and suflicient force will be exerted by the platen to make a printing impression in a manner to be described.

In order to reduce the jar attendant to the impression operation of the platen, an arm 68 (Fig. 2a) is provided on the platen arm 57 in which a spring-pressed plunger 69 is mounted and at the time the shoulder 61 engages the plate 58 the plunger 69 will move toward the lower side of the rail 62 and tend to snub the action of. the platen and at the time an impression is being made, the pin 69 engages the rail 62, as shown in Fig. 2a, and the snubbing action occurs at this time for spring 69 is compressed and this has the effect of absorbing the shock attendant to the printing action of the platen.

When the platen arm is released 'it will have sufiicient momentum to effect latching of shoulder 61 on the block 58 and thereby impart printing impetus to the platen P. Until this latching occurs the platen is moving only by its own inertia and therefore should any obstruction be in the path thereof movement will be stopped. Thus, if the platen strikes the operators hand, no injury will result and thus a safety is provided. Since printing impetus is imparted to the platen when it moves into juxtaposition to printing position a proper impression will be made notwithstanding the snubbing action.

The foregoing operation occurs when the link 49 is moving toward theright as viewed in Fig.

- 10 and as'the link moves in the opposite direction the abutment 67 will engage the screw 66 and. return the platen to an upper position. However, as will be made apparent presently, the link 49 may sometimes operate when it is desired to hold the platen arm 57 against movement as when it is desired to skip, that is, not print from a printing device at printing position. To this end, a bellcrank lever 70 (Fig. 10)

is pivotally mounted on the frame 71 and has 1 ;a handle -72 on one of the arms thereof and be- -other end of said rod is connected to a latch 75 pivotally mounted on the frame 15 at 76 and having a notch 7'7 therein that may embrace the pin 78 on which the latch 60 is pivotally mounted.

3 When the pin 78 is in the notch '77, platen arm 57 will be held against movement and therefore even though the cam member 50 is operated the platen arm 57 will not be moved. The latch 75 includes an inclined surface 79 engageable by the pin '78 to pivot the latch 75 against the action of the spring 73in the event said latch is disposed in position to cause skipping, shown in Fig. 10, before the platen arm has returned to its upper position and this permits the latch to so pivot that when the pinfZS is aligned with the notch 77 as the platen attains its upper position that the spring 73 will cause the latch to move whereby the pin is embraced by the notch. Normally, however, the handle 72 will be in an upper position and the latch 75 will be disposed out of the position illustrated in Fig. 10 and therefore the arm 57 will normally be motivated by the rocker 55, as explained above.

The printing devices D are sequentially passed through the printing device guideway' 80 (Fig. i

9), after being withdrawn from the magazine M arranged at the rear of the machine, by suitable slide b rs of the character disclosed in the application of WalterT. Gollwitaer, Serial No. 451,812, filed'May 12, 198i). Movement is imparted to the slide bars by links 81, 81 pivotally connected to an arm 82 on the, casting 83. The casting 83 includes an arm 84 (Figs; la and 173) having a bifurcation 85 therein in which the pin 86 is seated. The pin 86 (Figs. 9 and 10) is mounted for adjustment in the lever 8'7 pivotally mounted on the smaller diameter of the shaft 52. Fixed on the shaft 52 is an arm 88 and pivotally mounted at the upper end thereof is a latch 89 normally urged intoengagement with a shoulder 90 on the lever 87 by a spring 91. Therefore, when reciprocatory movement is imparted to the shaft 52 engagement of the latch 89 with the shoulder 90 will cause the arm 87 to be moved into the position shown in Fig. '10 and movement imparted to the arm 87 will be transmitted through the pin 86 to the arm 84 and consequently to casting 83 and through arm 82 thereof to the links 81, 81 to move the slide bars and therefore the printing devices. A 92 on the arm 88 engages the lever 87 to move the parts in the opposite direction'when the link 49 is moved from the position illustrated in Fig. 10. It is therefore apparent that the link 49 operates both the platen and the printing device feeding arrangement.

The printing devices are moved through the guideways 80 into position above the anvil 93 (Fig. 9) andan impression is made by the platen P from the printing device D disposed above the anvil 93 through the usual ink ribbon R (Figs. 2 and 9) which is directed over the printing device above the anvil. The ribbon R is stored upon suitable spools and movement is imparted thereto to move the ribbon across thelprintin'g device. This arrangement is described and claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 502,399, filed December 15, 1930, and movement is imparted to the ribbon devices by the cam 94 screw on the cam member 50 which engages the roller on the ribbon device opera-ting arm.

The printing devices introduced into the magazine M are arranged in a predetermined sequence and sometimes during the operation of a machine of this character it is desired that a printing impression not be made from every printing device passing through printing position. Furthermore, it is apparent that the printing device feeding mechanism imparts a step by step movement to the printing devices. Further, these printing devices always stop in similar positions during at rest intervals in the step by step movement, one of the devices being aligned with the anvil 93, and other devices being arranged at intervals therebehind. I therefore provide in the table top 1'? openings, closed by transparent plates G, which are aligned with the two printing devices immediately behind printing position. Therefore. the operator of the machine may view the printing devices through these openings and by manipulating the handle 72 the machine may be caused to skip by engaging the notch 77 with the pin 78, as previously described, for the printing device feeding mechanism will continue to operate only the platen is rendered inoperative by manipulation of the handle 72.

It has been pointed out that a reciprocatory movement is imparted to the shaft 52 and it has also been shown that this movement its ut lized to advance the printing devices through the guideway 80. After the passing from the anvil 93 the printing devices pass over the guides 96 (Fig. 27)) into the printing device receiving drawer S. As the printing devices pass from the guides 96 they are acted on by a packer 97 having a stud 98 thereon engaged by a bifurcation in the connector 99 carried by the rod 169 (Fig. 9) pivotally connected at 101 to a lever 102 pivotally mounted on a side rail of the frame 15. On shaft 52 there is a crank 103 pivotally connected to the lever 102 and therefore as the shaft 52 is rocked a reciprocatory movement is imparted to the lever 102 which is transmitted through the rod to the packer 97.

Extending upwardly from a rail on the frame 15 is an arm 104 (Fig. 10) on which the tail 105 on the arm 106 is rested when the printing device receiving drawer S is in its upper position illustrated in Fig. 19. The arm 1G6 is pivotally connected at 107 to the drawer receiving guides 108 and a spring 109 extends between the guides and the arm to urge the forward end portion thereof. upwardly into engagement with the forward end of the guides. A clamp device 110 holds the forward end of the drawer in upper position when the clamp device is released the arm 186 may be pivoted and the tail 105 will disengage the arm 104 whereby the forward end of the drawer S may be lowered to clear the packer 9'? so that the drawer may be slid into or from the guides 108. The rear ends of the guides have plates 111 secured thereto pivotally mounted on the frame at 112 and when the device is pivoted as above described the pivotal movement takes place about said pivotal mountings 112.

The machine is sometimes operated to pass the printing devices therethrough consecutively, that is, so but one impression is made from each printing device. Sometimes, however, two impressions are made from each printing device and under these circumstances the machine is said to duplicate. Moreover, it is sometimes desirable to make a number of impressions from each printing device and under such conditions the machine is arranged for what is called repeat operation. Such operation of the machine is controlled by the lever 113 carried by the arm 114 secured to the rail 62 (Figs. 16, 11, 12, and 13) The lever 113 is pivoted about the mounting 114 therefor in a manner to; be described to be disposed in a position to engage the latch 89 in order that it may be disengaged from the shoulder 90 when the lever 87 is disposed in the position opposite that shown in Fig. 10, previously described. If the nose 115 on the lever 113 engages the latch 89 said latch will be disengaged from the shoulder 98 and therefore no movement will be imparted to the casting 83.

It has been pointed out that there are three ways'in which the device may be operated and. the parts are set in three different positions, respectively illustrated in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, to accomplish this. As best shown in Fig. 9 there is a bearing 116 on the arm 114' supporting a shaft on which a disc 117 and a ratchet 118 are rotatably mounted, the ratchet and the disc being interconnected by pins 119. In the periphery of the disc 117, deep notches 120 are arranged in spaced relation and intermediate these deep notches are shallow notches 121. A spring 122 acts on the lever 113 to urge the roller 123 thereon toward the disc 117-whereby said roller may be seated either in a deep notch 126 or in a shallow notch 121. When the roller 123 is disposed in a deep notch 120 the nose 115 is so positioned that it will not engage the latch 39 and therefore said latch will remain in engagement with the shoulder 90 and upon each reciprocation of the shaft 62 a new printing device will be positioned above the anvil 93.

The roller 123 will be unseated from a deep notch 120 on each operation of the platen since the disc 117 is moved upon each operation of the machine. The ratchet 113 is provided with high teeth 124 and low teeth 125 (Fig. 14) which are alternately arranged. A pawl 126 is urged toward the ratchet by the spring 127 extended between said pawl and the arm 128 to which pawl is pivotally connected at 129. On the i platen arm 57 there is a boss 130 through which a screw 131 is extended and this screw engages a boss 132 on the arm 129 pivotally mounted at 133 on the arm 114'. A spring 134 extends between the arm 114' and the arm 128 and tends to pivot arm 128 to move the pawl 126 toward the ratchet 118, this movement being limited however by the engagement of the boss 132 with the screw 131. However, when the platen arm 57 moves as above described the screw 131 disengages the boss 132 and the spring 134 pivots the arm 128 until the lug 135 thereon engages the upper edge of the rail 62. From this it is apparent that the pawl 126 is moved toward the ratchet 118 in a corresponding amount upon each lied" operation of the printing machine because it is spring driven.

In order that the ratchet 118 will be moved in an amount suflicient to move the disc 117 so that a deep notch 129 will always be disposed therebelow, a shroud 137 (Figs. 9 and 14) is mounted adjacent the ratchet 118 and includes a portion extended over the periphery thereof. A lever 138 is pivotally mounted at 139 on the arm 114' and to the lower end thereof a link 140 is connected Iv this arm and acts on the arm to tend to pivot the other end thereof downwardly.

In the arm 141 are three notches 143, 144 and 145, and on the lever 138 is'a pin 146 which may be selectively seated in one of said notches. As best shown in Fig. 1, an indicating plate 147 is provided on the table top 17 and has suitable indicia respectively indicating the duplicate, consecutive, and repeat operations and this indicia is aligned with the notches 143, 144, and 145, the plate 147 being a part of the bracket 140. Therefore, by moving the lever 136 into alignment with the indicia on the plate 147 the pin 139 may be disposed in the notch aligned with the indicia that is aligned with the lever 138.

When the parts are arranged as shown in Fig. 11, the lever 138 is so disposed that the pin 146 seats in the notch 144 and the machine is arranged for consecutive printing for by so positioning the lever 138, movement is transmitted through the link 140 to dispose the shroud 137 in such a position that it covers the teeth 125. Therefore, when the pawl 126 is motivated it will engage only the teeth 124 and therefore sufficient movement will be imparted to the disc 117 to always dispose a deep notch 120 in position to be engaged by the roller 123 because the teeth are spaced similarly to the notches 120.

However, when the handle 138 is moved into the position illustrated in Fig. 12 wherein the pin 146 is seated in the notch 145, the shroud is so positioned that the pawl 126 will engage successively the teeth 124 and 125 on consecutive operations thereof. Therefore,'when the pawl is reciprocated the roller 123 will be alternately seated in a deep notch and a shallow notch. When the roller is disposed in a shallow notch, the nose 115 will be so located that it wfll engage the latch 89 and disengage it from the shoulder 90 on one operation of the machine. However, on the next operation of the machine the roller 123 will seat in a deep notch 120 and the nose 115 will not engage the latch and therefore the casting 83 will be moved. From this it is apparout that the casting will only be moved on alternate operations of the platen arm and therefore the printing device disposed above the anvil 93 will be held in position until two or duplicate impressions have been made therefrom.

i Whenthe handle 138 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 13, the pin 146 is seated in the notch 143 and the shroud 137 is so disposed that the finger 148 thereon engages the roller 123 and so moves the lever 113 and the roller 123 will not engage the periphery of the disc 117 and the nose 115 will be held in position whereby it will engage the latch 89 on each operation of the machine and therefore no move-- ment will be impartedto the casting 33 and hence the printing devices will not be moved and thus the machine is rranged for repeat operation. When the machine is thus arranged, it is said to be disposed for continuous repeat operation for I have provided an additional means whereby the machine may be caused to repeat when the operator so desires.

To this end I have provided a foot pedal 149 (Fig. 2) which actuates a rod 150 connected to a lever 151 (Fig. 16) joined to an arm 152 pivotally mounted on the center 112. The arm 152 engages a crank 153 (Fig. 9) mounted on the shaft 154 journaled in the frame. On one end of the shaft 154 opposite the crank 153 is a crank 155 carrying ascrew 156 extended through a slot 157 in the link 158 pivotally connected to the lower end of the lever 113 at 159.

When the foot pedal 149 is depressed the arm 152 is rocked and the pin 156 engages an end of the slot 157 and moves the link 158 and consequently the lever 113 to thereby so position the nose 115 that it will engage the latch 89 to disconnect it from the shoulder 90 to interrupt the feeding of the printing devices.

On the shaft 154 is an arm 160 (Fig; 9) that extends into the printing device receiving drawer S and as the printing devices are introduced into the drawer and force the follower 161 rearwardly, said follower will eventually engage the arm 160 and therefore when a predetermined number of printing devices have been introduced into the drawer S, the arm 160 will be pivoted and the screw 156 will engage the end of the slot 157 to move the nose 115 into position to engage the latch 69 to interrupt the feeding of the printing devices as previously described. The slot 157 is provided to prevent the movement imparted to the lever 113 being transmitted to the shaft 154 and associated mechanisms. Furthermore, when the drawer S is pivoted downwardly to permit removal or insertion thereof, the pin 162 (Fig. 10) on the arm 111 engages the arm 155 fixed on the shaft 154 and therefore the pin 156 is moved rearwardly to move the linl: 158 whereby the nose 115 will disconnect the latch 89 and it is therefore apparent that feeding of the printing devices is prevented until the drawer S is in proper position to receive them.

As has been previously described, the gear 28 is constantly rotated and it is therefore possible to operate the machine continuously and this will be brought about by permitting the nose 33 to remain seated in a notch 37. It has been pointed out that the machine may be operated by depressing the foot pedal 43 and when the machine is to be thus operated the pedal 43 will be depressed to disengage the arm 47 from the tail of the dog 32 and as soon as the machine begins to operate, the pedal is released. Therefore, the tail will engage the arm and disconnect the nose after one revolution which results in one complete cycle of operation of the machine. However, it is sometimes desirable to continuously operate the machine and to this end a handle 164 (Figs. 3 and 4) is pivotally mounted on the frame 15 at 165 and is acted on by a spring 166 to normally hold it in the position illus-' trated in Fig. 3. A latch 167 is medially mounted on the handle 164 and is acted on by a spring 168. In the latch 167 is a notch 169 engageable with the pin 170' on the frame 15 and when the handle 164 is in the inclined position said notch engages said pin to lock said handle in this position. When the latch 167 is moved manually to disengage notch 169' from =5 170 with the shaft 171 on which it is mounted. 1

Fixed on the shaft 171 is an arm 172 (Fig. 6) having a shoulder 173 thereon and when the handle 164 is moved as just described, the shoulder 173 is permitted to seat on the pin 174 and is held thereon by the spring 175. The pin 1'74 is carried by the member 44 and when the shoulder 173 seats thereon said member is positioned to withhold the arm 47 from engagement with the tail of the dog 32 and therefore the machine continually operates. However, when by F which is of the character described and claimed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 503,915, filed December 22, 1930, which device is operated from the gear 176 mounted on the shaft 177 carried by the frame 15. The gear 176 meshes with the gear 30 and receives movement therefrom and is aligned with a slot in the table top 17 normally closed by a slidable plate which is moved from closing position when the feeding device F is to be attached to the machine. The sheets fed by the device F are collected in the ba ket C carried by the frame 15 as illustrated in Fig. 2 after the impressions have been made thereon. The feeding device includes a detecting arrangement which is rendered operative when sheets are not being properly fed or when all of the sheets have been fed therefrom and this detector clos s an electric circuit to the magnet 17''! (Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 8) including an armature 178 having a pin 179 thereon fixed to the arm 172 and when the magnet 177 is energized the armature 178 thereof will be moved and consequently the arm 172 will be moved to thereby disengage the shoulder 173 from the pin 1'74 which will permit the arm 47 to move into the path of the tail of the dog 32 to thereby interrupt operation of the machine. When magnet 177 is de-energized, spring 1'4'5 acts through arm 1'72 and pin 179 to restore the armature to original position; In order to properly position the sheets fed from the feeding device F in printing position, bearings 180, 180 are provided on the table top 17 through which rods 131, 181 on the stop plate 182 may be extended and in which these rods may be adjustably retained.

It is manifest from the foregoing description that I have provided a printing machine embodying a magazine into which printing devices may be introduced and from which the printing de vices may be withdrawn and passed through the machine to printing position. In this machine there is an arrangement whereby the printing devices may be held in position while one, two, or more printing impressions are being made therefrom and furthermore I have provided a device wherein repeat operations may be made from any printing device moved into printing position at the option of the operator who may bring about this operation by merely depressing'a foot pedal. Furthermore, the machine is so constructed that it may be operated continuously or consecutively or, if desired, it may be arranged for manual op eration at th will of the operator who may depress a foot pedal to bring this about. Moreover, the printing devices each move into plain View of the operator before passing into printing position and by grasping a conveniently located handle the operator may so arrange the machine that a printin operation may not be performed from any printing device which manifestly affords a selection. Furthermore, the printing member of the machine is permitted to fall by its own weight and printing impetus is not imparted thereto until the printing member or platen is in close juxtaposition to the printing device and thereby I am enabled to prevent injury to the operator. Further, the shock incident to theimparting of the printing impetus is snubbed'so that unnecessary jar is not transmitted to the machine. It is also manifest that I have compactlyarranged the parts and that the arrangement is relatively simple and therefore it is apparent that it may be expeditiously manufactured in an inexpensive manner.

While I have illustrated and described aseiected embodiment of my invention, it is tobe.

understood that this is capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

Iclaim: I. In a printing machine, operating means, means sequentially moving printing devices through the machine, latch means for connecting the moving means to the operating means, means collecting said printing devices afterpassage thereof through printing positionin the machine, and means for preventing operation of the moving means when a predetermined number of printing devices have been collected insaid collecting means, said means including a settable member for unlatching said latch means, and detecting means for controlling the positioning of the settable member.

2. In aprinting machine, operating means, means the moving means to the operating means, means collecting said printing devices after passage thereof through printing position in the machine, and means for preventing operation of the moving means when said collecting means is out of collecting position, said means including a settable member for unlatching said latch means, and means controlling the positioning of said settable member from the position of the collecting means.

3. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrough, means collecting said printing devices after passage thereof through printing position in said machine, and means for rendering said moving means inoperative until said collecting means is in receiving position, and means for interrupting the operation of said moving means when a predetermined number of printing devices have been collected in said collecting means.

4. In a printing machine, operating means, means sequentially moving printing devices through the machine, latchmeans for connecting the moving means to the operating means, means collecting said printing devices after passage thereof through printing position in the machine, and means for preventing operation ofthe moving means and including a settable member for unlatching said latch means, means controlling the positioning of said settable member from the position of said collecting means; and detecting means controlled by the number of printing devices in said collecting means for also controlling the position of said settable member.

5. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrough, means operating said moving means, means latching said operating means to said moving means, a settable member controlling said latch, locating means determiningthe positioning of said settablemember, manually positioned means for controlling the operation of said locating means, a springsequentially moving printing devices through the machine, latch means for connecting its lio-

driven pawl for operating said locating ,means, and means operable from the platen for tensioning said spring driven pawl.

16; In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrough, means.

I positioned means for determining operation of the means operating said determining means.

'7. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrough, means operating said moving-means, latch means for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a lever controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said lever and including a formedmember, means for moving said formed member in a step-by step manner, and manually positioned means for determining the operationof the means for moving said formed member.

8. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrough, means operating said movingmeans, latch means for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a lever controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said lever and including a disc having formed portions on the periphery thereof, a member on said lever engageable with the formed portions on the periphery of said disc, means operable from the platen for imparting a step-by-step movement to said disc, and manually positioned means for determining the operation of the means imparting a step-bystep movement to said disc. v

9. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrcugh means operating said moving means, latch means for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a lever controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said lever and including a disc having notches in the periphery thereof, means on said lever. adapted to seat in said notches, a ratchet connected to said disc, and means operable from the platen for imparting a step-by-step movement to said ratchet and disc, and settable means for determining the operation of the means for imparting movement to said I ratchet and disc.

lever adapted to seat in said notches, a ratchet, a

pawl operable from the platen and adapted to operate said ratchet, and settable means controlling the engagement of said pawl with said ratchet.

11. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrough, means operating-said moving means, latch means for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a lever controlling said latch, means determining thev positioning of said lever and including a disc having alternate deep and shallow notches inthe periphery thereof, means on said lever adapted to seat in said notches, a ratchet connected to said disc, a pawl operable from the platen for operatingsaid ratchet, a shroud, and

short teeth, means engageable with the teeth of said ratchet to impart movement thereto, and

settable means for determining the operation of;

the means engageable with the teeth of said ratchet.

13. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices therethrough, means operating said moving means, latch means for, connecting said operating means to said moving means, a lever controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said lever and including a disc having alternate deep and shallow notches in the periphery thereof, means on said lever adapted to seat insaid notches, a ratchet connected to said disc and having alternate long and short teeth, a pawl operable from the platen for operating said ratchetand said disc, and a shroud adapted to be set in predetermined positions to control the engagement of said pawl with said ratchet. 1

14. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, means collecting said print- 'ing devices after passage thereof through printing position in the machine, means for operating said moving means, a latch for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said settable member,

sition in the machine, means for operating said moving means, a latch for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means deter mining the positioning of said settable member, means for operating said determining means, and means controlled by the position of said collecting means for determining the positioning of said settable member.

' 16. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, means collecting said printing devices afterpassage thereof through printing position in the machine, means for operating said moving means, a latch for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means deter-- mining the positioning of said settable member, means for operating said determining means, means controlled by the number of printing devices in said collectingmeans for determining the.

(col

17. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, means for collecting the printing devices after passage thereof through printing position, operating means for said moving means, a latch for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said settable member to regulate passage of said printing devices through printing position whereby said platen may make one or more impressions from a printing device in printing position as regulated by the position of the determining means, means for operating said determining means from said platen, and means controlled by the number of printing devices in said collecting means for "etermining the positioning of said settable member.

18. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, means for collecting the printing devices after passage thereof through printing position, operating means for said moving means, a latch for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said settable memher to regulate passage of said printing devices through printing position whereby said platen may make one or more impressions from a printing device in printing position as regulated by the position or" the determining means, means for operating said determining means from said platen, and means controlled by the position of said collecting means for determining the positioning of said settable member.

19. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, means for collecting the printing devices after passage thereof through printing position, operating means for said moving means, a latch for connecting said operating means to said moving means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means determining the positioning of said settable member to regulate passage of said printing devices through printing position whereby said platen may make one or more impressions from a printing device in printing position as regulated by the position of the determining means, means for operating said determining means from said platen, means controlled by the number of prlnting devices in said collecting means for determining the positioning of said settable member, and means controlled by the position of said collecting means for determining the positioning of said settable member.

20. In a printing machine, printing means, a continuously operating member, means for driving said printing means, a clutch for connecting said driving means to said continuously operating member, means normally disengaging said clutch, manually operable means for engaging said clutch, and manually controled latch means independent of the manually operable means for holding said clutch engaged.

21. In a printing machine, printing means, continuously operatinr member, for d' ing said printing a clutch for connecting said driving means to said continuously operating member, manually operable means normally disengaging said clutch, manually controlled latch means independent of the manually operable means for holding said clutch engaged, and electrically operated means for releasing said manually controlled latch means.

'22. In a printing machine, printing means, a continuously operating member, means for driv ing said printing means, a clutch for connecting said driving means, to said continuously oprating member, means normally disengaging said clutch, manually operable means for engaging said clutch, and electrically operated means independent of the manually operable means for disengaging said clutch.

23. In a printing machine, printing means, a co ltinuously operating member, operating said printing means, means connecting said operating means to said continuously operating member, yieldable means for engaging said connecting means, means holding said connecting means in disconnected position against the action of said yieldable means, manually operable means for releasing said holding means, and manually controlled latch means independent of the manually operable means for releasing said holding means.

In a printing machine, printing means, a continuously operating member, means operating said printing means, means connecting said operating means to said continuously operating member, yieldable means engaging said connect means, means holding said connecting means in disconnected position against the. action of said yieldable means, manually operable means for releasing said holding means, and electrical m "'15 for disconnecting said holding means.

In a printing machine, printing means, a continuously operating inemben-means operating said printing means, means connecting said operating means to said continuously operating member, yieldable means for engaging said connecting means, means holding'said connecting means in disconnected position against-the ac tion of said yieldable means, manually operable means for retracting said holding means, latch means independent of the manually operable for retaining said holding means out of holding position, and electrically operated means for releasing said latch means.

'26. In a printing machine, printing means, a continuously operating member, means operating said printing means, means connecting said operating means to said continuously operating member, yieldable means for engaging said connecting means, means holding said connecting means in disconnected position against the action of said yieldable means, manually operable means for retracting said holding means, latch means independent of manually operable means for retaining said holding means out of holding position, manually operable means for releasing said latch means, and electrically operated means for releasing said latch means.

2". In a printing machine, a platen arm pivotally mounted in the machine and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printdevices through the machine and past the platen, an operating shaft, a member on said shaft providing a cam, means operable by said cam and engageable With said platen arm for 11npariing impression pressure to said platen upon operation of said cam, adriving member on said shaft, means connecting said printing device moving means to said driving member, and means for imparting anoscillatory movement to said shaft.

28. In a printing machine, a platen arm pivotally mounted in the machine and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through the machine and past the platen, an operating shaft, a member onsaid shaft providing a cam, means operable by said cam and engageable with said platen arm for imparting impression pressure to said platen upon operation of said cam, a driving member on said shaft, operating means for said printing device moving means, means for latching said operating means to said driving member, and means for imparting an oscillatory movement to said shaft.

29. In a printing machine, a platen arm pivotally mounted in said machine and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, an operating shaft, a member on said shaft providing a cam, means operable by said cam for holding said platenarm in an elevated position and for applying impression pressure through said arm to said platen upon movement of said platen into printing relation with a printing device in printing position, a driving member on said shaft, means connecting said printing device moving means to said driving member, and means for imparting an oscillatory movement to said shaft.

30. In a printing machine, a supporting shaft, a platen arm pivotally mounted on said supporting shaft and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, an operating shaft, a member on said operating shaft and providing a cam, means mounted on said supporting shaft and operable by said cam to impart impression pressure to said platen through said platen arm upon movement of said platen into printing relation with a printing device in printing position, means for imparting an oscillatory movement to said shaft to operate said cam, and manually operable latch means for holding said platen arm in an elevated position whereby the means operated by said cam does not impart impression pressure to said platen when said latch means retains said platen arm in the elevated position.

31. In a printing machine, a platen arm pivotally mounted in the machine and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through the machine and past the platen, an operating shaft, a member on said shaft providing' a cam, means operable by said cam and engageable with said platen arm for imparting impression pressure to said platen upon operation of said cam, a driving member on said shaft, means connecting said printing device moving means to said driving member, a drive shaft,

means operable by said drive shaft for imparting an oscillatory movement to said operating shaft, a source of power, and a clutch for controlling the connection of said drive shaft with said source of power.

32. In a printing machine, a platen arm pivotally mounted in the machine and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through the machine and past the platen,

'an operating shaft, a member on said shaft providing a cam, means operable by said cam and engageable with said platen arm for imparting impression pressure to said platen upon operation of said cam, a driving member on said shaft,

means connecting said printing device moving means to said driving member, a drive shaft, means operable by said drive shaft for imparting an oscillatory movement to said operating shaft, a source of power, a clutch for controlling the connection of said drive shaft with said source of power, manually operable means for controlling said clutch, and manuallyoperated latch means independent of said manually operable means for also controlling the operation of said clutch.

33. In a printing machine, a supporting shaft,

ing position, a driving member on said operating.-

shaft, means connecting said printing device moving means to said driving member, and means for imparting an oscillatory movement to said shaft.

34. In a printing machine, a platen arm pivotally mounted in the machine and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through the machine and past the platen,'an operating shaft, a member on said shaft providing a cam, means operable by said cam and engageable with said platen arm for imparting impression pressure to said platen upon operation of said cam, a driving member on saidlshaft, operating means for said printing device moving means, a latch for controlling the connection of said operating means to said driving member, means controlling the engagement of said latch, and means for imparting an oscillator movement to said operating shaft.

35. In a printing machine, a supporting shaft, a platen arm pivotally mounted on said supporting shaft and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, an operating shaft, a member on said operating shaft and providing a cam, means mounted on said supporting shaft and operable by said cam to impart impression pressure to said platen through said platen arm upon movement of said platen into printing relation with a printing device imprinting position, a driving member on said shaft, op-1 crating means for said printing device moving.

means, a latch for controlling the connection of said operating means to saiddriving member, and means for imparting an oscillatory movement to said shaft.

36. In a printing machine, a supporting shaft, a platen arm pivotally mounted on said supporting shaft and having a platen thereon, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, an operating shaft, a member on said operating shaft and providing a cam, means mounted on said supporting shaft and operable by said cam to impart impression pressure to said platen through said platen arm upon movement of said platen into printing relation with a printing device in printing position, a driving member on said shaft, operating means for said printing device moving means, a latch for controlling the connection of said operating means to said driving member, manually operable latch means for holding said platen arm in an elevated position whereby the means operated by said cam does not impart impression pressure to said platen when said latch means retains said platen arm in an elevated position, and means for imparting an oscillatory movement to said shaft.

37. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, operating means, a latch for connecting said printing device moving means to said operating means, a settable member for controlling said latch, a supporting member having one end thereof pivotally mounted in the machine, releasable retaining means cooperating with the other end of said supporting member, a collecting member mounted in said supporting member and adapted to receive printing devices moving from the printing position when said supporting member is retained by said retaining means, and means connected to said supporting member and adapted to position said settable member to disengage said latch when said supporting member is disengaged from said releasable retaining means.

38. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, operating means, a latch for connecting said printing device moving means to said operating means, a settable member for controlling said latch, a supporting member having one end thereof pivotally mounted in the machine, releasable retaining means cooperating with the other end of said supporting member, a collecting member mounted in said supporting member and adapted to receive printing devices moving from the printing position when said supporting member is retained by said retaining means, means connected to said supporting member and adapted to position said settable member to disengage said latch when said supporting member is disengaged from said releasable retaining means, and means for positioning said settable member to disconnect said latch when a predetermined number of printing devices have been collected in said collecting member.

39. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, operating means, a latch for connecting said printing device moving means to said operating means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means regulating the operation of said settable member to control the operation of said printing device moving means to determine the number of impressions made from a printing device by said platen, a collecting member adapted to receive printing devices after movement of said printing devices from printing position, means for preventing operation of said printing device moving means when said collecting member is out of receiving position, and means connecting the means for preventing operation of the printing device moving means when said collecting member is out of collecting position to said settable member and adapted to permit the means controlling the operation of said printing device moving means to determine the number of impressions to be made from a printing device to be operated without affecting the means preventing operation when said collecting member is out of collecting position.

40. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentally moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, operating means, a latch for connecting said printing device moving means to said operating means, a settable member for controlling said latch, means regulating the operation of said settable member to control the operation of said printing device moving means to determine the number of impressions made from a printing device by said platen, a collecting member adapted to receive printing devices after movement of said printing devices from printing position, means for preventing operation of said printing device moving means when said collecting member is out of receiving position, means connecting the means for preventing operation of the printing device moving means when said collecting member is out of collecting position to said settable member and adapted to permit the means controlling the operation of said printing device moving means to determine the number of impressions to be made from a printing device to be operated without affecting the means preventing operation when said collecting member is out of collecting position, and means acting through said connecting means for preventing operation of said printing device moving means when a predetermined number of printingdevices are collected in said collecting member.

41. In a printing machine, a table top, a printing device magazine adjacent the rear edge of said table top, said table top having a printing opening therein adjacent the front edge thereof,

a platen, means for moving said platen toward and,

away from said printing opening, a printing device guideway below said table top and extended between said printing device magazine and said printing opening, an anvil in said printing device guideway below said printing opening, feeding means for moving printing devices from said magazine through said printing device guideway and onto said anvil whereby impressions may be made therefrom by said platen, means operating said feeding means in a step-by-step manner to move the printing devices in a step-by-step manner whereby during at rest intervals in said stepby-step movement the printing devices will be disposed in the same relative positions in said printing device guideway one ofwhich is above said anvil and the others of which are located between said printing opening and said magahilzine, said table top having an inspection opening therein intermediate said printing opening and said magazine and aligned with one of the relative positions in which the printing devices are disposed during at rest intervals in the step-by- 1' step movement of the feeding means, a transparent plate flush with said table top and closing said opening, and manually controlled latch means for regulating the operation of said platen and adapted to be operated when the operator of the by said cam to impart impression pressure to said 1,.

platen through said platen arm upon movement of said platen into printing relation with a printing device in printing position, means for imparting oscillatory movement to said shaft to operate said cam, a table top having an openingtherein past which the printing devices are moved prior to movement thereof into printing position, and manually operable latch means operable by the operator when the operator views predetermined printing devices through said opening in said table top, said latch means holding said platen arm in an elevated position whereby the means operated by said cam does not impart impression pressure to said platen.

EMME'II C. HARTLEY. 

